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ALVMNVS  BOOK  FVND 


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HARP 
OF  THE  HEART 


BY 


A.  S.  BHANDARKAR 


BOSTON 

THE  POET  LORE  COMPANY 

THE  GORHAM  PRESS 


Copyright,  1918,  by  A.  S.  Bhandarkar 


All   Rights   Reserved 


H-^ 


MADE  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


Tkk  Gorham  Prkss,  Boston,  U.  S.  A. 


PREFACE 

I  have  called  my  book  The  Harp  of  the  Heart 
as  all  my  poems  are  attempts  at  expression  of  the 
music  felt  within,  music  that  in  its  last  analysis  is 
beauty,  love  and  truth.  Some  of  them  probably 
to  many  of  my  readers,  would  savour  of  vague 
mysticism,  or  overwrought  emotion;  but  I  hope, 
there  may  be  at  least  a  few  who  will  connive  at  or 
excuse  those  characteristics  because  they  have  felt 
as  I  have  felt,  and  know  how  hard  it  is  to  do  jus- 
tice by  means  of  words,  to  fancies  and  feelings  that 
are  not  of  this  world.  To  such  I  offer  these  strains 
for  appreciation. 

A.  S.  B. 


470158 


CONTENTS 

Page 

Ask 9 

A   Sunset   Day    10 

Give  Me  Back  My  Tears 10 

Echo:  Where! II 

The  Rose-Lover    12 

Butterflies    13 

A.  Sunset   Spark    13 

The  Mad  Song 14 

A  Song  of  Love ., 15 

The   Music  Lover    15 

Day  and   Night    16 

The  Death  of  the  Year 17 

Klytae    17 

Moonlight 18 

A  Song  of  Sorrow 19 

On  the  Silvery  Sands    20 

Raptures    20 

To    21 

A  Child's  Moralizing   22 

If  Thou  Wish 23 

Lines  to  the  Breeze   24 

To  a  Wild  Bird 25 

The  Tomb  of  Orpheus 26 

The  Last  Prayer 26 

The  Bells  of  Spring 28 

The  Nature  Lover 29 

The  Sleeping  Beauty   30 

A  Slave's  Lament 31 

Prayer    31 

Prayer    32 

The  Song 32 

Nowhere    33 

In  Disguise   33 

Psyche    34 

Out  of  Tune 35 

Moonlight   : 36 

Beyond   36 

When  in  the  Fading  Hours  of  Eve 37 


Contents 

An  Indian  Lover's  Lament 38 

A  Thunderstorm    39 

A  Lover's  Lament 40 

A  City  Night  Peace 41 

Out  From  the  Heart    41 

Beams  of  Light 42 

To   Shelley    43 

Late  Moonrise 44 

A  Glimpse  44 

Vistas  of  Dreams   45 

Symbols    45 

After-Glow    46 

Reconciliation    Sweet    47 

The  Poet's  Emotions 47 

A  Requiem 48 

The  Profaned  Shrine 49 

Life's  Food    49 

Transience 50 

The  Allegory    50 

To 51 

Heart- Yearnings    52 

Aurora  52 

Changed 53 

I  Feel  A  Pain   54 

Disinterested  Service 55 

Won 55 

A   Fragment    56 

My  Tear 56 

The  Temple  Bells   57 

The  Universal  Anthem 58 

Thou  Art  Weeping  Still 59 

Lines  to   Music    60 

The  Piper    60 

The  Lulled  Oar 61 

Requiescat    62 

A  Wrinkled  Scroll 62 

To  A   Siren    63 

The  Broken  Harp 64 


HARP  OF  THE  HEART 


Harp   of  the  Heart 


ASK 

Ask  yon  moon  what  made  her  pale, 
What  pain  so  deep  to  make  her  wane 
Hath  wrapt  her  in  this  gloomy  veil ; 
Ask,  ask  that  moon. 

Ask  the  breeze  what  made  it  sigh, 
In  blossom-fragrance  mild  to  faint, 
Then  linger,  softly  moan,  and  die; 
Ask,  ask  this  breeze. 

Ask  this  rose  what  made  her  weep, 
In  tears  of  liquid  dew  anft  bleed. 
What  made  it  tremble,  fade  in  sleep; 
Ask,  ask  the  rose. 

Ask  this  harp  what  made  it  wail, 
In  strains  of  sadness  burst  its  soul, 
What  made  it  thrill,  then  melt,  then  fail; 
Ask,  ask  this  harp. 

Ask,  ask  mine  heart  what  made  it  fly, 
Beyond  the  spans  of  space  and  time, 
Impressing  nature ;    ask  it  why, 
Ask,  ask  this  heart. 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  SUNSET  DAY 

Oh  Rose  of  Sunset 

Sing  a  song  to  me, 

A  song  that  ever,  ever  was, 

And  never  again  shall  be 

While  the  sapphire-silked  Night 

Comes  dancing  with  her  crown  of  light 

With  her  everlasting  lilies 

Wreathing  radiant  melodies. 

Oh,  Rose  of  Sunset, 

Sing  a  song  to  me, 

A  song  that  ever,  ever  was, 

And  ne'er  again  shall  be, 

Till  the  Night  gets  tired  of  dancing, 

Drunk  with  harmony  entrancing 

Faints  and  falls  within  thy  arms, 

And  thou  burn  an  Orient  psalm. 

GIVE  ME  BACK  MY  TEARS 

Give  me  back  my  infant  tears, 

Ah,  give  them  back  to  me! 

The  tears  I  shed  when  I  saw  the  sun 

Sink  slowly  in  the  sea; 

Ah,  give  those  back  to  me! 

Give  me  back  my  holy  tears, 
Ah  give  them  back  to  me! 
The  tears  I  wept  when  the  orphaned  child 
Soothed  its  mother,  grieving  wild, 
Slow  climbing  on  her  knee, 
Ah,  give  them  back  to  me ! 
IO 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Give  me  back  my  humble  tears, 

Ah,  give  them  back  to  me! 

The  tears  I  dropped  when  I  saw  my  kind 

Grow  ever  more  in  lust  and  blind, 

And  chain  its  spirit  free; 

Ah,  give  them  back  to  me. 

Give  this  frail  world  back  its  Soul, 

Ah,  give  us  tears  to  keep, 

As  pearls  like  dew-drops  pure  from  heaven 

Or  eyes  of  light  that  shine  at  even, 

Thy  true  love  endless  deep; 

Ah,  give  us  back  our  soul! 

Ah  give  me  back  a  heart  that  feels 

Or  melts  in  tender  'tears. 

I  draw  a  restless,  tainted  breath, 

Can  mourn  not  what  endears. 

Ah,  give  me  back  a  heart  that  bleeds 

Or  else  the  peace  of  death. 

ECHO:   WHERE! 

Aspire  and  fly ;  hence  higher,  higher  soar, 
Annihilate  all  space,  undo  all  time, 
Beyond  all  bounds,  eternity's  still  chime 
Where  hushed  for  aye  infinity's  mute  roar; 
Forget;   till  life  is  death  unto  the  core; 
Away  to  some  oblivion's  listless  clime, 
Vast  deep  where  sinks  this  world  a  mote  of  crime 
Where  one  is  all,  all's  naught  and  this  no  more. 


ii 


Harp   of  the  He  an 


Wild  words  are  weak;    swoons,  tears  of  blood  are 

vain ; 
E'en  silence  mars  the  spirit's  frenzied  strain, 
The  soul  of  love's  soft  trance,  of  beauty's  calm, 
A  lull  of  void ;   a  sleep  of  blissful  pain.     .     .     . 
Yon  sun  a  hymn  of  peace,  yon  moon  a  psalm, 
Melodious  stars  waft  mystic  dreams  of  balm! 

THE  ROSE-LOVER 

I  wake  at  peep  of  smiling  Dawn 
And  leave  the  sweet  soft-tranced  Rose 
In  dews  impearled;    in  langour  flows 
Her  incensed  wavy  silkiness, 
As  relics  from  night's  wild  caress; 
I  wake  and  sing  to  hail  the  morn ! 
I  am  a  bee,  a  poet  born. 

I  float  and  sing  on  streams  of  gold. 
The  Sun  in  lavish  splendor  throws, 
My  strains  go  ringing  and  disclose 
Translucent  treasures  of  the  world 
That  lie  in  thought's  dark  shadows  furled, 
Veiled  petals  of  the  void  unfold ; 
I  burn  with  rapture  deep  untold. 

I  sing  for  her  and  kiss  the  Rose, 

I  feed  on  music  of  her  limbs, 

And  winging  fling  melodious  hymns 

That  swing  the  rainbow  gates  of  Heaven 

And  sadden  all  the  stars  of  Even, 

Within  mine  eyes  her  lustre  glows 

While  mad  with  Love  my  longing  grows. 


12 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


I  sing  till  chants  etherial  roll 

From  angels'  flutes,  the  moon  release, 

And  lull  my  fiery  veins:    I  cease.     .     .     . 

I  fly  to  Rose's  arms  for  Peace 

With  balm  my  weariness  to  ease, 

I  drink  the  nectar  of  her  soul, 

Love's  richest  wine  and  feel  the  whole. 

BUTTERFLIES 

Butterflies  flutter  in  breezy  air 

Butterflies  glitter  on  swinging  flowers 

Twinkling  sparks  of  rainbows  rare 
Dance  and  shiver  in  sparkling  showers. 

Glowing  gems  of  golden  day 

Rustling  melodies  of  streams 
Glimmering  lightly  flicker  away 

Poet's  gossamery  dreams. 

Nymphs  and  fairies  these  that  wing 

Gay  in  gorgeous  silken  dyes 
To  crown  their  queen,  the  queen  of  Spring 

Quiver  and  dance  quick  butterflies. 

A  SUNSET  SPARK 

Gold  glimmers  on  the  mountains; 
Gold  glitters  in  the  skies; 
Gold  glistens  in  the  fountains 
And  flashes  through  my  soul. 

Music  floods  the  leafy  grove 
Music  floats  on  streams 
Music  flows  from  stars  above 
And  vibrates  through  my  soul. 
13 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


THE  MAD  SONG 

From  the  one  the  many  springs 
And  the  many  lives  in  one, 
One  melodious  impulse  swings 
Worlds  in  chains  of  change  undone. 
Rest,  motion,  all  are  one  and  whole 
And  mingle,  mingle  in  the  soul. 

Silver  pearls  of  tinkling  rills, 
Floral  stars  in  choral  dance, 
Mellow  songs  from  breezy  hills, 
Lull  fair  nature  in  a  trance; 
Melt,  melt  in  music  all  my  soul 
And  mingle,  mingle  with  the  whole. 

Golden  liquid  of  the  sun 
Soft  azure  of  silken  skies 
Through  refulgent  crystals  run 
Blend  in  bright  auroral  dyes. 
Sink,  sink  in  beauty  all  my  soul, 
And  mingle,  mingle  with  the  whole. 

Virtue's  pure  etherial  balm 

Love's  sweet  rosy  dreams  divine, 

Prayer's  ecstatic  holy  calm 

In  one  endless  glory  shine. 

Fill,  fill  with  light,  with  life  my  soul 

And  mingle,  mingle  with  the  whole. 

From  the  one  the  many  springs 
And  the  many  lives  in  one. 
One  melodious  impulse  swings 
Worlds  in  chains  of  change  undone. 
Sense,  essence,  all  are  one  whole 
And  mingle,  mingle  in  the  soul. 
14 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  SONG  OF  LOVE 

Black  is  the  sooty,  clouded  night, 
Black  the  noon-day  singing  bee, 
But  blacker  far  thy  wavy  locks 
That  dance  in  wanton  ringlets  free. 
Red  is  the  all-consuming  fire, 
Red,  the  rose  upon  the  thorn, 
But  redder  far  thy  coral  lips 
That  shame  the  blushes  of  the  morn. 

White  is  the  milky,  floating  cloud, 
White  the  taintless  winter  snow, 
But  whiter  far  those  beaming  smiles, 
Thy  beauteous  face  that  overflow. 
Soft  is  the  fall  of  dews  at  eve, 
Soft  the  silken  mosses  green; 
But  softer  far  thy  balmy  touch, 
Ne'er  virgin  birds  so  soft  have  been. 

Bright  is  the  sun  that  lights  the  world, 
Bright  the  silver  twinkling  star, 
But  brighter  far  those  eyes  of  thine 
That  burn  the  captive's  heart  from  far. 
Sweet  is  the  love's  surrendering  "yes." 
Sweet  the  dying  anthem's  fall, 
But  sweeter  far  thy  honeyed  breath 
Whose  dulcet  flow  enchaineth  all. 

THE  MUSIC  LOVER 

I  love  thee  not  for  clustering  curls, 
Nay,  not  for  kisses,  nectar-sips; 
I  love  thee  for  the  music's  flow 
That  melts  to  roses  on  thy  lips. 
\  15 


Harp   of  the  Heart 


I  love  thee  not  for  charming  smiles, 
Nay,  not  for  sweet  entrancing  sighs; 
I  love  thee  for  the  music's  flow 
That  soars  to  radience  in  thine  eyes. 

I  love  thee  not  for  sylphic  gait, 
Nay,  nor  for  soft  angelic  grace; 
I  love  thee  for  the  music's  flow 
That  drowns  in  beauty  all  thy  face. 

I  love  His  heavenly  light  serene 
That  beams  thy  rhythmic  limbs  along; 
I  love  His  sacred  glory  calm 
That  makes  of  thee  an  hallowed  song. 


DAY  AND  NIGHT 

The  day  came  out  in  all  his  light 

Offered  a  bowl  of  trees  and  flowers, 

With  rivulets,  hills,  meadows,  fountains, 

A  paradise  of  princely  bowers 

And  decked  him  in  his  golden  crown, 

The  poet  poured  his  soul  in  song 

That  wafted  whirling  earth  along. 

The  night  came  out  in  all  her  calm 

Offered  a  sapphire  plate  of  gems, 

With  rubies,  pearls,  emeralds,  diamonds, 

A  dazzling  wreath  of  diadems, 

And  decked  him  in  her  silver  crown. 

The  poet  poured  in  song  his  soul 

That  wrapt  the  skies  and  made  them  roll. 


16 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


THE  DEATH  OF  THE  YEAR 

The  setting  sun  shall  rise  again, 
The  moon  shall  wax,   the  moon  shall  wane; 
But  thou,  old  year,  shall'st  never  wa'-e 
When  once  by  ruthless  time  art  slain. 

To  kill  the  old,  to  make  the  new 
Was  ever  nature's  aim  in  view. 
Ere  blossomed  fresh  the  hoary  tree, 
Away  the  red-worn  leaves  she  blew. 

Thy  hour  is  nigh,  thou  must  not  wait, 
Old  year,  thou  must  submit  to  fate, 
The  whole  creation's  final  day 
Shall  dawn   to  die   itself,   though   late. 

The  hour  is  past;   the  year  is  dead, 
Beyond  the  sunset  regions  fled, 
No  more  to  rise,  no  more  to  wake, — 
But  shall  his  memory  ever  fade ! 

KLYTAE 

Vain  efforts  mine:   alas,  I  ne'er  could  paint 
In  shades  e'en  vague,  bright  visions  of  mine  heart. 
I  writhe  beneath  this  Beauty's  rankling  smart 
To  steal  from  far  one  strain  of  music  faint 
That  sways  the  soul  of  bliss-enraptured  saint, 
How  weak  for  Truth  this  mediating  art! 
O'erflow  my  spirit  unchecked  or  else  depart 
And  still  for  aye  this  burthening  sad  complaint; 
What  sins  corrupt  my  life?     What  specks  or  dark 
Eclipse  the  solar  effluence  of  light? 
17 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


What  earthly  passions  mar  the  singing  lark? 
The  gloom  of  self  bedims  mine  inmost  sight; 
Discard  each  aim  and  soar  in  ecstacy! 
Express  myself!     I  feel  not — let  me  die. 

MOONLIGHT 

When  from  the  sweet,  sweet  moonlight 
Visions  of  blissful  paradise 
Floated  across  mine  infant  eyes, 
So  sweet,  so  holy  was  the  night. 

When  through  the  soft,  soft  moonlight 
Beauty,  celestial  angel  smiled, 
Pining  for  love  my  soul  beguiled, 
How  soft,  how  lovely  was  the  night. 

Now  in  this  sad,  sad  moonlight 
Sorrow  secluded  longs  to  weep, 
Virtue  dishonored  craves  for  sleep, 
How  sad,  how  lonely  is  the  night. 

When  with  the  still,  still  moonlight. 
Spirit  immortal  mine  will  blend, 
Radiant,  in  harmony  sans  end, 
So  still,  so  heavenly  be  the  night. 


18 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  SONG  OF  SORROW 

Sad  sorrow,  soar  to  me, 
Soar  to  the  tender  soul  unloved, 
Lone  spirit  to  alien  lands  removed, 
And  steep  her  in  sleep. 

Still  sorrow,  flit  away 
Flit  from  the  weeping  violets  pale, 
Flit  from  the  lily's  languid  sail, 
And  melt  me  in  sleep. 

Soft  sorrow,  fly  away 
Fly  from  the  philomel's  pensive  song, 
Fly  from  the  breeze  the  leaves  among, 
And  lap  me  in  sleep. 

Strange  sorrow,  flow  away 
Flow  from  the  harp  of  rippling  streams, 
Flow  from  the  trance  of  balmy  dreams 
And  lull  me  in  sleep. 

Sullen  sorrow  float  away 
Float  from  the  fading  evening's  glow, 
Float  from  the  crystal-flowered  bow, 
And  calm  me  in  sleep. 

Solemn  sorrow  fleet  away 
Fleet  from  the  spell  of  glimmering  blue 
Fleet  from  the  pearls  of  glistening  dew 
And  charm  me  in  sleep. 

Sweet  sorrow,  soar  to  me 
Soar  to  this  guileless  soul  unloved 
Bright  spark  too  far  from  Home  removed 
And  sink  her  in  sleep. 

19 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


ON  THE  SILVERY  SANDS 

Speed  hence  my  soul,  away;   quick  wing  thy  flight 
To  sea's  melodious  silver-crested  waves 
And  merge,  melt  thee  into  their  song  that  raves 
For  aye;  thence  soar  on  beams  of  liquid  light 
Unto  the  moon  to  lose  in  splendour  calm 
Thyself ;  dissolve :  a  spark  transcendant  white 
Incorporate  into  pure  radiance  bright, 
And  when  the  dawn  besprinkles  dewy  balm 
Stream  through  the  gorgeous  glory  of  the  sun 
And  drown,  distil  into  the  spicy  breeze. 
Beauty,  Incense,  Music — all  live  and  cease 
In  Spirit  eternal,  infinite  one.     .     .     . 
Ah !   now  to  wake  from  bliss  Elysian  deep ! 
Sweet  trancing  spell,  sink,  sink  me  in  this  sleep. 


RAPTURES 

Golden  fruits  and  silver  flowers, 
Rains  and  dews  and  misty  showers, 
Waving  verdure,  blossomed  bowers, 
I  see,  I  hear,  I  know. 

Tuneful  choir  on  lightsome  wings, 
Rippling  harps  of  pearling  springs, 
Wind  that  ever  laughs  and  sings, 
I  hear,  I  know,  I  feel. 

Incense  flung  in  breezy  streams, 
Gems  full  blown  in  morning  beams, 
Stars  of  day,  ambrosial  dreams, 
I  know,  I  feel,  I  love. 

20 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


TO 


Kings,  lords  of  realms  of  wide  expanse, 
What  laurelled  names  to  ages  leave, 
Fell  victims  to  a  transient  glance 
Forgive  a  tender  soul,  forgive. 

Soft  opes  the  many-petalled  flower 
To  breezy  kisses  of  the  eve, 
With  rains  of  nectar  fills  her  bower, 
Forgive  a  fading  soul,  forgive. 

Heaven's  self  o'erflows  with  silver  smiles, 
With  welcome  doth  the  moon  receive, 
The  thought  of  thee  my  pain  beguiles, 
Forgive  a  lonely  soul,  forgive. 

All,  all  for  love  the  river  weeps. 
Her  heavy  heart  deep  feelings  heave, 
On  ocean's  bosom  meek  she  sleeps, 
Forgive  a  failing  soul,  forgive. 

Mild  sings  the  harp  in  sweet  accord, 
The  same  pulsations  back  to  give 
Emerging  from  a  kindred  chord, 
Forgive  a  wailing  soul,  forgive. 

Atom  with  atom  mingle  still 
Themselves  of  burdening  love  relieve. 
In  strict  obedience  to  His  will 
Forgive  a  human  soul,  forgive. 


21 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  CHILD'S  MORALIZING 

When  I  behold  the  sun 
Obscured  by  darkest  cloud 
Or  when  the  beauteous  moon 
Is  wrapt  in  shady  shroud: 

When  I  behold  the  stars 
That  always  glisten  bright, 
That  always  shine  to  fall, 
And  vanish  with  their  light; 

Or  when  the  fragrant  rose 
That  sweetens  all  the  bower, 
That  spreads  its  sweet  perfume 
To  die  a  withered  flower; 

Or  when  the  silvery  stream 
That  winds  its  crystal  way 
To  freeze  to  stony  ice 
Or  dry  a  summer  day. 

I  think  that  human  life 
Is  fleeting  with  its  toys. 
Where  Nature's  bloom  is  short 
Man  can  not  long  rejoice. 


22 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


IF  THOU  WISH 

If  thou  wish  to  kill  me,  sweet, 
Kill  me  with  thine  eyes ; 
Those  stars  of  night  like  sparks  of  fire 
Shall  melt  my  soul  in  sighs. 

If  thou  wish  to  kill  me,  sweet, 
Kill  me  with  thy  voice; 
Entrance  my  conscious  self  in  sleep, 
In  mine  sad  swoon  rejoice. 

If  thou  wish  to  kill  me,  sweet, 
Kill  me  with  those  flowers; 
Soft  fling  them  on  my  restless  heart, 
They'll  pierce  like  arrow  showers. 

If  thou  wish  to  kill  me,  sweet, 
Kill  me  with  a  kiss; 
I'll  take  that  poisoned  nectar  sip, 
And  taste  eternal  bliss. 

If  thou  wish  to  kill  me,  sweet, 
Kill  me  with  thine  arms; 
Ensnare  me  in  that  fatal  noose, 
And  still  me  in  thy  charms. 

If  thou  wish  to  kill  me,  sweet, 
Kill  me  with  thy  love ; 
'Twill  bring  a  surer,  speedier  death, 
A  boon  from  heaven  above. 


23 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


LINES  TO  THE  BREEZE 

Blow  me,  O  Breeze,  from  cursed  earth, 
Where  endless  evils  get  their  birth, 
Where  vicious  powers  reign  supreme, 
And  naught  but  riches  have  their  worth. 

Blow  me  away  from  wranglings  rude, 
Blow  me  from  unrewarded  good, 
From  this  dull  gloom  of  feverish  dreams, 
Where  joy  is  pain  misunderstood. 

Blow  me  from  fretful  din  and  dust, 
Man's  greed  for  sordid  gains  that  rust, 
His  crimes,  who  spills  his  kindred  blood 
To  quench  his  own  infamous  lust. 

Blow  me  away  from  wicked  breath, 
From  poisonous  slander  worse  than  death, 
Blow  me  from  transient  glory  vain 
And  knowledge  that  endangers  faith. 

Blow  me  from  iron  rule  of  fate, 
Red-toothed  fury,  gnawing  hate, 
From  love  that  keeps  the  heart  aloof, 
From  vile  temptation's  sugared  bait. 

Blow  me,  O  breeze,  from  passion's  sway, 

From  this  atomic  ball  of  clay, 

To  yon  celestial  shining  star, 

Blow  me  from  here,   far,   far  away. 

Away  from  roses  wrapt  in  thorn 
That  bloom  and  die  unseen,  forlorn, 
Away  from  rills  that  waste  in  song, 
Away  from  night  to  glorious  morn. 
24 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


TO  A  WILD  BIRD 

Lament  not,  grieve  not,  noble  bird, 
But  pour  thy  liquid  notes 
Of  melody,  though  none  shall  hear 
Their  music  as  it  floats. 

Thy  crystal  numbers  smoothly  flow 
To  mine  enraptured  ear; 
Entrancing  chants!    they  claim  from  me 
A  sympathetic  tear. 

I  dream  of  soft  Arcadian  flutes 
Of  far-off  golden  days; 
They  too,  the  simple  swains  of  yore 
Unheeded  piped  their  lays; 

Let  not  thy  tuneful  harmonies 
Be  changed  to  sad  complaints, 
Since  no  vague  word  of  earthly  praise 
Thy  lonely  warblings  taints; 

This  busy  bustling  crowd  is  dead 
To  beauteous  things  sublime; 
Ethereal  angels  vain  may  hum 
Rare  hymns  of  holy  chime. 

Fill,  sprinkle  all  the  woods  with  charm 
Of  rich,  delicious  airs. 
Drunk  deep  with  thine  nectarine  strains, 
My  soul  forgets  his  cares. 

He  listens  to  thy  magic  lyres, 
Whose  glory  they  unveil; 
Sing  sweetly,  sylvan  bard  of  Heaven, 
Till  all  my  senses  fail. 
25 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


THE  TOMB  OF  ORPHEUS 

Gone  those  strains  that  erst  could  wake 
The  day  from  out  his  cell  of  rest, 
From  soft  melodious  closes  make 
The  rich  mosaic  of  daVkening  west. 

Dead  those  strains  that  erst  could  turn 
Or  lull  the  streamlet's  whispering  flow, 
From  whom  the  lark  his  song  would  learn 
And  flowers  knew  their  spice  to  blow. 

Gone,  yet  grasses  over  his  grave 
Dance  to  a  far-off  vanished  tune 
To  music's  melting  charm  a  slave, 
There  dreams  at  night  the  lonely  moon. 

Dead,  yet  over  his  tomb  the  rain 
Weeps  out  his  soul  in  silver  tears, 
Where  philomel's  sweetly  sad  refrain 
The  sobbing  calm  of  midnight  hears. 

THE  LAST  PRAYER 

Almighty  God,  Thou  Primal  Cause, 
Sole  ruler  of  the  earth  and  skies, 
This  world  is  full  of  tears  and  sighs, 
To  me  who  ne'er  transgressed  Thy  laws ! 

No  virtue  here  attains  his  meed, 
The  good  is  linked  with  misery  still, 
And  conquered  by  the  exulting  ill, 
In  truth,  Thy  riddle's  hard  to  read. 


26 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


With  faith  of  childhood's  simple  mind, 
In  all  thy  works  I  love  perceived, 
In  life  beyond  the  grave  believed, 
Though  reason  murmured  I  was  blind; 

Oh,  Thou  Who  art  our  Father  kind, 
Who  binds  us  with  affection's  ties, 
Shalt  wish  not;  when  some  dear  one  dies, 
That  love  should  weep  in  vain  behind. 

Hence,  hence  for  higher  life  than  this 
I  lived;  my  past  flew  unenjoyed, 
All  pleasures  sweet  I  did  avoid, 
Nay,  banished  self  for  doubtful  bliss. 

In  charities  I  spent  my  wealth, 

I  soothed  the  sick,  released  the  poor, 

But  now,  alas,  by  misery  sore 

Am  forced  to  feed  myself  on  stealth. 

Is  this  the  gain  of  all  my  deeds, 
Reward  of  my  self-sacrifice, 
What  promised  treacherous  hope,  I  miss, 
And  naught  shall  now  supply  my  needs. 

O  Lord,  who  wants  us  to  be  good 
And  will  not  here  our  acts  repay, 
Wilt  thou  thy  gift  of  fruit  delay 
The  flickering  virtue's  only  food  ? 

Why!  Yet  my  heart  is  full  of  trust, 
Somewhere  I  must  my  dues  receive, 
Thou  art  not  likely  to  deceive 
Thy  creatures  meek  since  Thou  art  just. 


27 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


I  care  no  more  to  hold  my  breath, 
Perchance  I  sink  in  disbelief, 
It's  better  far  to  seek  relief 
Ere  turn  a  traitor  to  one's  faith. 

Enough !  My  will  to  me  belongs 
Grant  me  some  last  sweet  word  of  ease 
That  fain  my  shameful  course  may  cease 
Before  it  leads  to  deeper  wrongs. 

Forgive  the  wrongs  I  may  have  done, 
Till  now  by  dire  misfortune  presst, 
Forgive,  forgive  my  thirst  for  rest, 
Who  long  this  evil  race  have  run. 

THE  BELLS  OF  SPRING 

Ring  the  bells,  hail  the  Spring 
Now  the  wintry  blasts  are  o'er, 
Days  are  broadening  more  and  more 
Birds  on  bushes  sing  and  soar. 
Swing  the  bells. 

Swing  the  bells,  ring  the  bells, 
Spring  his  choicest  treasure  showers. 
Scented  breezes  fan  the  bowers, 
Blossoms  gild  the  leafy  towers. 
Hail  the  Spring. 

Hail  the  spring,  swing  the  bells, 
Flowers  decked  with   diamond   dew, 
Roses  red  and  violets  blue, 
Gaily  flaunt  in  vernal  hue, 
Ring  the  bells. 

28 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Ring  the  bells,  hail  the  Spring 
At  the  scarlet  flush  of  day 
Cuckoos  coo  their  echoing  lay, 
Cheering  early  labourer's  way. 
Swing  the  bells. 

Swing  the  bells,  ring  the  bells 
Sweet  at  eve  the  brooklets  sing 
Varied  notes  in  chorus  wing, 
Welcome  to  the  golden  Spring. 
Ring  the  bells. 


THE  NATURE  LOVER 

I  like  to  wander  in  a  grove 

Where  darkly  close  the  branches  twine, 
Where  fearless  deer  and  foxes  rove, 

And  shade  themselves  the  nibbling  kine. 

I  like  to  see  the  grazing  herds 

That  wind  their  way  with  lazy  feet, 

To  hear  at  eve  the  warbling  birds 
Whose  music  melts  in  echoes  sweet. 

I  like  to  lie  on  grassy  bed 

Beside  a  slowly  murmuring  pool 

Where  soft  the  balmy  dews  are  shed 
And  whisper  evening  breezes  cool. 

At  night  in  lonely  caves  I  rest 

Where  moon  bestrews  her  milky  rays, 

My  lowly  life  no  cares  infest 
And  swiftly  fly  my  winged  days. 

29 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


I  live  a  life  of  joy  and  ease, 

Kind  nature  grants  my  humble  need 
I'll  die  unknown  in  perfect  peace 

A  death  from  transient  tears  freed. 


THE  SLEEPING  BEAUTY 

Upon  a  golden  couch  she  lay 
O'erspread  with  mossy  velvet  green, 
While  nectar  breezes  fanned  her  brows 
And  shook  the  blossomed  foliage-screen. 

Her  garb  was  soft  and  snowy  silk 
That  rustled  with  the  gentle  breeze, 
The  nightly  bird  poured  forth  his  soul 
In  liquid  notes  his  queen  to  please. 

In  slumber  calm  her  eyes  were  sealed 
Sweet   dreams  entranced   her   beauteous   face, 
Her  dewy  locks  profuse  and  curled 
Were  bathed  in  flood  of  silver  rays. 

Fresh  flowers,  buds,  azure  and  rose, 
In  clusters  thick  begemmed  her  lair, 
Cool,  playful  fountains  leapt  and  danced 
With  spray  that  gleamed  in  rainbows  rare. 

Harmonious  harps  were  round  her  strung 
By  sylvan  deities  blithe  and  fair, 
Whose  sweetness  shamed  the  siren  songs, 
And  lingering  lulled  the  listening  air. 


30 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  SLAVE'S  LAMENT 

Oh  moon,  that  roamest  still  at  large 
In  broad,  expansive  skies, 
Why  lookest  thou  thus  sad  and  pale? 
Thou  art  not  bound  in  servile  ties. 

O  sea,  that  roarest  still  so  wild 
That  foamest  white  with  rage. 
What  maketh  thee  thus  froth  and  chafe? 
Thou  art  not  cooped  in  darksome  cage. 

O  wind,  that  wailest  still  in  grief 
Thy  course  though  wide  and  free. 
Why  moanest  thou  thine  heart  away? 
A  restless  life's  unknown  to  thee. 


PRAYER 

When  pangs  of  pain  torment  my  soul 
And  Fate  her  poisoned  arrow  darts, 
I  feel  Adversity's  control, 
And  Love,  life's  single  bliss  departs. 

When  Doubt  begins  his  shade  to  throw 
Then  Faith,  Oh  heavenly  angel  kind 
Shower  down  ambrosial  blooms  like  snow 
With  balmy  dews  to  cool  my  mind. 

And  for  my  soul  from  swoon  to  save 
Thy  silken  pinions  gently  wave, 
Then  light  the  golden  lamp  of  Hope 
That  I  in  darkness  may  not  grope. 


31 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


PRAYER 

Grant  me  Thy  love  in  flowers  seen 
That  ope  their  petals  to  the  sun 
Thy  love  in  twining  creepers  green. 

Grant  me  Thy  song  of  surging  waves, 
Thine  harp  of  purling  rills  that  run 
In  ripples  through  the  echoing  caves. 

Grant  me  Thy  peace  of  twilight-eve, 
When  day  to  quiet  rest  hath  spun 
And  stars  their  silver  meshes  weave. 

THE  SONG 

Was  thy  song  a  downy  dream 
That  wove  a  paradise  and  flew? 
Was  it  a  twinkling  moonlit  stream, 
Enchained  in  leaves  impearled  in  dew? 
It  wafted  sweet  in  fainting  air, 
Rustling  breezes,  where  O  where! 

Was  thy  song  a  floral  gem 

Its  silken  petals  to  unfold? 

Was  it  a  rosy  diadem 

That  crowned  my  soul  with  crystal  gold  ? 

It  melted  sweet  in  tranced  air 

Tinkling  meteors,  where,  O  where! 

Was  thy  song  an  incense  soft 
That  glimmered   in  etherial  waves? 
Was  it  yon  climbing  star  aloft, 
Whose  light  the  empyrean  laves, 
It  lingers  sweet  in  languished  air, 
Flickering  heart,  ah — where  O  where! 
32 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


NOWHERE 

In  twilight  let  me  dream 
Of  beauty  heavenly  fair, 

Sweet  on  a  saffron  beam, 
I'll  glide  away,  nowhere. 

In  moonlight  let  me  dream 
Of  Love  infinite,  rare, 

Soft  on  a  silver  beam, 
I'll  soar  away,  nowhere. 

In  sunlight  let  me  dream 

Of  Life's  own  rapturous  glare, 

Swift  on  a  golden  beam 
I'll  fly  away,  nowhere. 


IN  DISGUISE 

"The  breeze  in  fitful  murmur  blows, 
The  streamlet  still  sweet-singing  goes, 
A  lily's  lily,  rose  is  rose, 
Pure  love  divine  in  music  flows, 
A  lover  reaps  what  seeds  he  sows 
In  lonely  cell  a  prisoner  knows." 

These  strains  so  soft  and  sweet  that  seem  to  chain 
mine  ears, 
Set  free  my  soul  to  soar  in  realms  of  beauty  rare. 
Where    fountains    weep    midst    flowers    melodious 
moonlit  tears, 
Dear  minstrel,  thou  hast  given  me  wings  to  fly 
hence — where ! 


33 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Ah  love!  burst,  burst  my  chains,  dissolve  this  fleshy 
frame 
Unfetter    me    from    self    this    gloomy    charnel 
cave, — 
Fond  memories  wan;   heart's  longings  unexpressed, 
spent  flame! 
Am  I  a  prisoner?    more:    a  wilful,  wandering 
slave ! 


PSYCHE 

She  was  at  dawn  plucking  roses,  roses, 

Roses  red  and  roses  gold, 

Rapt  in  silk  of  rustling  snow 

Like  the  moon  enthralled  in  a  pearly  fold. 

She  was  at  noon  plucking  roses,  roses 
Roses  sleeping,  sighing  soft 
Tripping  o'er  the  green  below 
Like  a  sunbeam  dancing  in  air  aloft. 

She  was  at  eve  plucking  roses,  roses 

Roses  pink  and  roses  white, 

Singing  strains  of  love  that  flow 

Like  wan-winged  breezes  on  rippling  flight. 

She  was  at  night  plucking  roses,  roses, 

Roses  dreaming,  smiling  bright, 

By  pure  fonts  with  stars  ablow, 

Like  an  angel  tranced  in  a  prayer  of  light. 

34 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


OUT  OF  TUNE 

A  lily  on  the  stream,  it  rustled  and  sailed 
Soft  dews  on  the  lily,  they  lingered  and  glowed 
Sunbeams  on  the  dews,  they  purpled  and  flowed 
A  void  in  my  heart,  it  fainted  and  paled. 

A  bright  star  flitted  athwart  the  dark, 
The  deep,  deep  dark  of  the  sky. 
A  white  bird  darted  across  the  sea 
To  blue,  blue  depths  with  a  sigh. 

A  pure  thought  floated  across  my  mind 
Full  higher  and  higher  to  fly, 
A  melody  melted  through  vistas  of  time 
In  glory  of  silence  to  lie. 

An  angel  I  spied — vague  yearning  I  felt — 
My  soul's  own  vision  for  aye, 
Love's  glamour  incarnate,  life's  far-off  sadness 
For  ever  and  ever  to  die. 

A  stream  in  the  valley,  it  rippled  and  rang, 
A  breeze  on  the  stream,  it  wafted  and  wailed. 
A  petal  on  the  breeze,  it  flickered  and  failed 
A  void  in  my  heart,  so  listless  it  sang. 


35 


Harp   of  the  Heart 


MOONLIGHT 

I  hear  the  fountains  tinkling 
In  the  garden  of  the  moon; 
I  hear  the  jewels  jingling 
In  the  whirl  of  dancing  stars. 
I  hear  a  faint  voice  calling, 
Sweet  strains  my  sadness  mars, 
Like  dews  at  eve  they're  falling 
So  softly  in  a  swoon. 

I  see  pure  blossoms  glowing 
In  the  purple  fields  above. 
A  crystal  river  flowing 
To  a  sapphire-coloured  sea. 
I  see  an  angel  dreaming 
In  tears  and  silently 
Her  breezy  sighs  are  streaming 
With  overflowing  love. 

I  feel  a  lull  of  langour, 
In  the  song  of  silence  die, 
A  far-off  pensive  clangour 
Of  a  lonely  heart  that  yearns; 
I  feel  her  silver  glances, 
My  soul  with  beauty  burns, 
I  smile  in  blissful  trances 
And  weep  in  ecstasy. 

BEYOND 

A  song  of  stars  beyond  the  sea, 

The  waves  are  blossomed  on  their  crest. 

They  lisp  a  lingering  melody 

And  lull  their  heaving  hearts  to  rest. 

36 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  realm  of  flowers  beyond  the  stars, 
That  sprinkle  breezy-twinkling  pearls, 
And  fling  auroral  balm  that  mars 
Quick  Fancy  with  light,  sparkling  curls. 

A  world  of  dreams  beyond  sweet  flowers 
Where  angels  sail  on  silver  beams, 
Their  harps  dissolve  in  twinkling  showers 
Of  golden  rain  that  faint  in  streams. 

Beyond  all  worlds  the  thrill  of  love, 
The  joy  of  life  distilled  in  flame 
Of  radiant  music  from  above, 
Etherial  liberty  sans  name. 

WHEN  IN  THE  FADING  HOURS  OF  EVE 

When  in  the  fading  hours  of  eve 
The  fiery  sun  hath  sunk  in  sleep, 
Their  work  the  weary  labourers  leave, 
And  when  the  helpless,  lonely  weep, 

When  soft  the  pearly  dews  do  fall, 
The  snow-white  daisy  shuts  her  eye, 
The  warbling  birds  are  silent  all, 
And  silver  stars  adorn  the  sky. 

When  speckled  owl  is  hooting  low 
And  flickering  glow-worms  dart  their  light, 
When  smoothly  glides  the  streamlet  slow, 
And  foxes  hail  the  coming  night. 

Oh,  then  how  sweet  it  is  to  gaze 
Upon  that  endless  star-set  blue. 
To  learn  to  scorn  the  worldly  craze, 
To  think  of  heavenly  peace  anew. 
37 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


AN  INDIAN  LOVER'S  LAMENT 

Shower  forth,  O  beauteous  scenes  your  charm 
Ye  verdant  hills  with  cooling  shades, 
No  more  you  feast  my  wandering  eyes 
That  drink  not  calm  from  lonely  glades. 

Oh,  rapturous  coil  that  pourest  forth 
Melodious  notes  with  careless  ease. 
How  ill  thy  songs  would  match  with  those 
Immortal  strains  too  sweet  to  please. 

Thou  snowy  swan  with  silver  wings 
That  glideth  lightly  in  the  lake, 
Who  taught  thee  this  thy  sylphic  gait, 
But  she  of  soft,  Shirisha  make. 

Thou,  misty  moon  with  pallid  face 
Shed  down  thy  gold  with  langour  fraught 
Thou  canst  not  ape  her  fairer  looks, 
When  deep  immersed  in  pensive  thought. 

Dew-dripping  lotus,  lovely  wan, 
Rough  image  of  her  glistening  eye, 
When  rich  beset  with  diamond  tears 
With  that  sapphire  thou  canst  not  vie. 

Thou  nectar-oozing,  fragrant  breeze 
That  bloweth  stilly,  slyly  by, 
Unwise  of  thee  to  steal  those  sweets 
Thick  treasured  in  her  breath  that  lie. 

Bright  like  a  meteor  she  shone, 
But  swifter  far  away  she's  flown. 
It's  better  now  in  death  to  rest 
Than  lead  a  weary  life  alone. 

38 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  THUNDERSTORM 

See!    the  sable  clouds  are  lowering, 
Hark  the  thunder's  distant  roaring, 
Drop  by  drop  the  rain  is  pouring 
From  the  slowly  darkening  sky. 

Now  the  furious  blasts  are  brawling, 
Thick  and  fast  the  showers  falling, 
To  and  fro  the  trees  are  rolling, 
Wrinkled  leaves  are  tossed  away. 

Peal  on  peal  the  thunder's  crashing, 
Bright  and  swift  the  levin  flashing, 
Shower  on  shower  the  rains  are  lashing 
'Gainst  the  constant  oozing  panes. 

Brighter  still  the  lightning's  glowing, 
Fiercer  still  the  blasts  are  blowing, 
Wild  with  foam  the  cataracts  flowing, 
Rushing  down  the  noisy  dales. 

Now  the  storm  is  slow  subsiding,      t 
Silver  streams  are  softly  gliding, 
Snowy  cascades  smoothly  sliding 
Down  the  rocky  verdant  slopes. 

Sweet's  the  showery  fragrance  spreading, 
Sparkling  leaves  last  drops  are  shedding; 
Playful  pools  in  rings  eddying, 
Skies  a  cloudless  dome  azure. 

Lo!    the  rainbow-colors  shining, 
Red  with  gold  and  blue  combining, 
Languid  arch  in  peace  reclining 
On  the  arms  of  emerald  earth. 
39 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  LOVER'S  LAMENT 

The  distant  rivers  meet,  my  love, 
The  night  and  moon  rejoin. 
The  parted  lovers  greet,  my  love 
But  ne'er  shalt  thou  return. 

Like  buds  that  bloom  to  fade,  my  love, 
Or  notes  that  charm  to  melt, 
Like  stars  that  glow  to  fall,  my  love, 
Thy  life  was  fleeting  bright. 

Still  like  a  mate-reft  bird,  my  love, 
I  fruitless  mourn  my  loss, 
As  when  some  lonely  cloud,  my  love, 
Bewails  the  lightning's  flight. 

The  rose  to  me  looks  fairer,  love, 
The  moon  doth  brighter  shine, 
The  cuckoo's  notes  seem  sweeter,  love. 
Since  thou  hast  left  this  world. 

But  vain  the  cuckoo  sings,  my  love, 
The  moon  her  splendour  sheds, 
In  vain  the  roses  smile,  my  love 
To  heal  a  heart  that  bleeds. 

The  nursling  trees  shall  weep,  my  love, 
And  fell  their  flowery  tears, 
But  I  must  ever  pine,  my  love, 
Who  find  no  rest  in  sleep. 

In  dreams,  I  see  thy  form,  my  love, 
In  perfect  beauty  bloom, 
But  then  the  breaking  day,  my  love, 
Reveals  the  woeful  truth. 
40 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  CITY  NIGHT  PEACE 

The  night  is  hushed,  the  moon  is  up, 
The  stars  are  on  their  work  intent, 
All  lights  are  out  and  perfect  calm 
Is  by  some  steamy  whistle  rent. 

The  distant  bark,  the  striking  clock, 
The  screeching  owl,  the  rattling  car, 
That  borne  upon  the  lonely  air 
The  dreary  midnight  stillness  mar. 

The  aged  watchman  walks  his  rounds, 
With  cautious,  measured  footsteps  slow, 
And  oft  disturbs  the  silent  night 
With  clanking  stick  and  hummings  low. 

The  air  is  cool,  all  life's  asleep, 

The  stilly,  rustling  shady  trees, 

Dim  lighted  by  the  lunar  rays, 

Are  waving  soft  and  whispering  "peace. 

OUT  FROM  THE  HEART 

Out,  out  from  the  heart, 
Thou  flame  unknown; 
Float,  float  on  streams, 
Melt,  melt  in  dreams 
Of  starlit  beams ; 
Ease,  ease  the  wilful  smart, 
No  more  my  life  I  own. 


41 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Out,  out  from  the  soul, 
Thou  light  unknown; 
Sing,  sing  in  dews, 
Weep,  weep  in  hues, 
Rainbow  bestrews. 
Rend,  rend  the  veiled  goal, 
No  more  my  life  I  own. 

Out,  out  from  this  love 

Thou  felt,  unknown; 

Quench,  quench  the  sun, 

Soar,  soar  from  one 

Till  infinite's  won, 

Bright  worlds  wax  dark  above; 

No  more  my  death  I  own. 


BEAMS  OF  LIGHT 

Sunbeams,  sunbeams, 

Fling  your  liquid  music 

In  a  golden  rain; 

Drown,  drown  in  floods 

Of  rosy  buds, 
Beauty  sighing  sweet  with  pain, 
Beauty  weeping  e'er  in  vain. 

Moonbeams,    moonbeams, 
Pour  your  foamy  incense 
In  a  sparkling  breeze; 
Crown,  crown  with  pearls 
Black,  blossomed  curls, 
Beauty  smiling  sad  in  peace, 
Beauty  dreaming  e'er  of  bliss. 

42 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Starbeams,  starbeams, 

Shower  your  streaming  silver 

In  a  silken  wreath ; 

Lave,  lave  in  light, 

Pure  limbs  so  white, 
Beauty  sleeping,  soft  of  breath, 
Beauty,  swooning  e'er  to  death. 

TO  SHELLEY 

Sweet  minstrel,  thou,  that  cleared  etherial  climes 
On  aerial  wings  of  song  still  soaring  high 
In  rapture  like  thy  lark;    wouldst  yearn  and  sigh 
For  light  undimmed,  afar,  in  ling'ring  rhymes, — 
The  fount  whence  splendour  floweth  for  all  times, 
And  love  bursts  soft  in  purest  dreams  that  vie 
Rich  liquid  jewels,  change  their  tints  and  die. 
Thou  warbler  wild  of  mad  harmonious  chimes! 
Thou  sad  Alastor  pining  e'er  in  vain 
For  Beauty's  soul  in  calm  of  starlit  sky, 
Where  oft  thy  wayward  Fancy  erst  would  fly, 
To  tears  unshed  dissolve  with  easeful  pain! 
Who  shirks  the  lofty  langour  of  thy  strain? 
The  wistful  heart  shall  weep  and  list  not  why. 


43 


Harp   of  the  Heart 


LATE  MOONRISE 

Can  you  hear  the  angels  sing, 
Sigh  and  sing,  sing  and  cease? 
When  the  moon's  dim,  waning  ring 
Rises  pale  on  silvered  seas, 
And  the  sad,  soft  breezes  wing 
In  faint  langourous  melodies. 
From  faraway  bright  visions  spring, 
The  yearning  soul  from  sleep  release, 
Till  rapt  in  light  away  she  fling 
All  life  and  death's  eternities, — 
How  the  wistful  billows  swing! 
When  sweet  streams  of  rippling  breeze, 
Pensive,  weary,  lingering, 
Fade  in  moonlit  realms  of  peace; 
Can  you  hear  the  angels  sing, 
Sigh  and  sing,  sing  and  cease? 

A  GLIMPSE 

I  lie  a-dreaming,  dreaming,  dreaming, 
In  a  canopy  of  rustling  breeze, 
Flecked  rich  with  sun-shafts  golden  bright, 
Sweet  blood  of  roses,  gleaming,  gleaming. 
Snow  blossoms  silver  on  the  trees, 
Noon  weaves  a  purple  dome  of  night. 

Soft  silence  sighs  a-beaming,  beaming, 
In  a  sleep  of  dewy  melodies, 
Pale,  flame-apparelled  stars  alight 
With  flutes  of  pearl  a-streaming,  streaming, 
In  ancient  strains  that  swell  and  cease, 
And  ope  the  inmost  gates  of  light. 
44 


Harp   of  the  Heart 


VISTAS  OF  DREAMS 

Through  dewy  vistas  of  flowery  dreams 
Glide,  glide  to  me  in  the  drowsy  night, 

My  Love. 
Robed  in  lilied  splendour  white ; 
Breathe,  breathe  a  kiss 
Of  sweet  vernal  bliss 
And  move, 
To  music  soft  sleep's  quiet  streams 
Through  odourous  vistas  of  breezy  dreams. 

Through  etherial  vistas  of  moonlit  dreams, 
Float,  float  to  me  in  the  silent  night, 

My  Love. 
Decked  in  starry  blossoms  bright, 
Waft,  waft  a  sigh, 
From  the  pearl-pure  sky 
Above. 
Embower  my  soul  in  Orient  beams, 
Through  auroral  vistas  of  crystal  dreams. 

SYMBOLS 

The  full  moon's  silvery  orb  above, 

From  his  starlit  mansion  blue, 

Upon  a  quiet,  crystal  stream 

His  perfect  image  threw. 

When  a  wind  o'erswept  the  streamlet 

And  the  image  flickered  and  flew. 

A  lily  floated  down  the  stream 
On  an  emerald  leaf,  and  wide, 
It  wafted  smoothly  with  the  flow, 
Serene  and  slow  to  glide, 
When  a  breeze  o'erset  the  lily 
That  was  borne  away  by  the  tide. 
45 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


A  rose  o'erhung  a  lonely  thorn 

By  the  rivulet's  rim  that  grew, 

It  swung  its  rosy  head  and  sweet 

Impearled  in  limpid  dew. 

But  the  liquid  dew  was  shaken, 

When  a  breath  from  the  zephyr  blew. 

"Restrain,  mine  eyes,  your  gushing  tears, 
Restrain,  oh  heart,  thine  idle  fears; 
He's  dear  unto  me  as  that  lark's  sweet  lay, 
He's  true  unto  me  as  yon  orient  day." 

AFTER-GLOW 

A  Suggestion  from  a  Landscape  Picture 

Thus  soft  the  burning  day  hath  sunk  to  rest, 

The  last,  faint  streaks  of  lingering  after-glow 

Are  fading  fast  away;  the  cowherd  slow 

His  sluggish  oxen  drives  in  the  grey  mist, 

That  fills  the  vale  with  gloom  from  east  to  west ; 

E're  deepening  darkness  thickens  in  its  flow, 

The  peasant  to  his  lowly  cot  must  go, 

His  peaceful  dwelling  with  contentment  blessed, 

Where  anxious  hearts  perchance  his  steps  await; 

Oh,  how  I  wish  to  lead  thy  rustic  life, 

Far  from  the  noisy  din  of  bustling  town 

To  do  thy  work,  oh  gentle  herd,  till  late 

Into  the  evening  calm ;  still  free  from  strife 

In  nature's  charms  my  simple  cares  I'll  drown. 


46 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


RECONCILIATION  SWEET 

No  more,  no  more  let  painful  memories  last 
And  willingly  forget  the  misty  past; 
Doth  not  the  parting  sun  who  wheels  his  fiery  way 
Returning,  greet  the  rosy  smiling  day? 

No  more  a  glance  o'er  far-off  wrongs  be  cast 
And  lovingly  forgive  the  gloomy  past ; 
Doth  not  the  paly  moon  repenting  of  her  flight 
With  silver  kisses  welcome  back  the  night? 

From  thy  sad  heart  let  bitter  feelings  fade 
Fresh  blooms  of  love  let  blossom  in  their  stead ; 
Doth  not  insensate  nature  melt  her  shroud  of  snow 
To  deck  herself  in  garb  of  vernal  glow  ? 

May  showers  of  joy  wash  out  the  ills  of  yore, 
Love's  golden  chain  bind  us  for  evermore ; 
Like  tender  hues  of  rainbow  when  the  rain  is  o*er 
Our  souls  in  harmony  blent,  heavenward  shall  soar. 


THE  POET'S  EMOTIONS 

He  saw  the  vale  with  flowers  crowned, 
He  heard  soft  streamlet's  whispering  sound, 
In  bees'  melodious  murmur  drowned, 
And  thrilled  for  joy,  he  knew  not  why. 

He  saw  the  twilight's  orange  glow, 
He  heard  the  breezes  rustling  low, 
The  birds'  sweet  farewells  fainter  grow, 
And  wiped  a  tear,  he  knew  not  why. 


47 


Harp   of  the  Heart 


He  saw  the  full  moon  burning  bright 
With  rays  of  quiet  silver  light, 
O'er  drowsy  stillness  of  the  night 
And  sighed  for  peace,  he  knew  not  why. 

A  REQUIEM 

No  more  for  thee  the  pangs  of  woe, 
No  more  to  toil  for  fleeting  gain, 
Full  freed  from  painful  blows  of  fate, 
Rest  calmly  safe  from  sun  and  rain. 

No  more  for  thee  this  worldly  strife 
No  soothing  word  of  parting  friend 
Will  dim  thine  eyes;   no  tears  to  shed, 
No  ills  to  bear  or  wrongs  to  mend. 

Dew-laden  flowers  shall  deck  thy  tomb, 
Sad  birds  shall  tune  their  mourning  lays, 
And  fondly  will  those  sobbing  stars 
Shower  blessings  with  their  brightest  rays. 

The  thick-grown  grass  will  be  thy  bed, 
Dame  Nature  kind,  so  fresh  and  fair 
Will  serve  thee  with  her  generous  heart 
And  tend  thee  with  maternal  care. 

Soft  be  thy  sleep  untroubled,  deep, 
Sweet  be  thy  holy  rest  in  peace, 
Bright  be  thy  life,  if  life  there  be 
For  saints  like  thee  that  shine  and  cease. 


48 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


THE  PROFANED  SHRINE 

Not  love;    call  it  not  love  that  seeks  his  end 
In  brutal  pleasure ;  passion  worse  his  name ; 
He's    fleet,    inconstant,    false;     is   born   of    shame; 
Can  love  be  slighted,  made  to  sell  or  lend? 
E'en  love  that  serves  two  human  lives  to  blend, 
By  poet's  praise  immortalized  in  fame, 
Is  weak,  self-centred,  narrow  in  his  aim; 
Nay,  man  is  man  even  higher  to  ascend. 

Virtue,  Beauty  are  sparks  of  Him  as  seen 
In  idols  of  our  heart;   pure  Love  serene 
Aspires  and  faints  in  worship  for  the  Soul, 
Not  form;   silence  his  song,  sad  tears  have  been 
His  balm ;  visions  of  bliss  in  glory  roll 
A  nd  peace ;  ah ;  holier     .      .      .     feel — unfeel  His 
Goal. 

LIFE'S  FOOD 

If  Music's  melting  voice  and  sweet 
Should  cease  to  soothe  our  daily  cares, 
Should  vesper's  tuneful  winged  choir 
Cease  chanting  notes  of  melody  rare, 
Or  rills  their  dreamy  murmur  cease, 
Then  let  my  hold  on  life  release. 

If  Sunset's  parting  saffron  beams, 
Should  cease  to  paint  the  silken  sky, 
With  fading  hues  of  tender  glow; 
Should  flowers  cease  the  meads  to  dye 
Or  rays  of  smiling  moon  to  greet, 
Then  let  me  leave  this  world  unsweet. 

49 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Should  Sleep,  the  priceless  gift  of  Heaven, 
Withhold  her  morphic  charm  of  rest, 
Her  dewy  balm  of  soft  repose 
From  weary  toil  or  woe  oppressed, 
Should  pain  e'er  fail  to  end  in  peace, 
Then  let  me  seek  elsewhere  mine  ease. 

TRANSIENCE 

Twinkle,  twinkle  silver  star, 
Twinkle  in  yon  heavenly  blue, 
Ere  vaporous  clouds  thy  splendour  mar 
And  thou  must  vanish  with  thy  light. 

Warble,  warble  charming  bird, 
Warble  in  thy  leafy  grove, 
Ere  notes  so  gay  with  pain  be  stirred, 
And  thou  must  leave  this  summer  bright. 

Tremble,  tremble  fragrant  flower, 
Tremble  gaily  on  the  thorn, 
Ere  thou  wilt  quit  thy  lovely  bower, 
And  sadly  weep  away  to-night. 

THE  ALLEGORY 

High,  high  to  Heaven  the  prayer  streams 
From  infant  souls  untouched  by  sin, 
But  Beauty's  purer  virgin  beams, 
Draws  holier  psalms  from  depths  within. 

Etherial  bard  that  soars  and  sings 
With  rapture  at  the  gates  of  morn 
In  vain  melodious  notes  he  flings, 
Would  lull  the  lily's  charms  unborn. 
50 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Languid  splendor  breaking  far, 
Through  liquid  crystals  of  the  rain, 
Could  never  vie  Love's  pensive  star, 
That  turns  the  poet's  dream  to  pain. 

Entrancing  sweet  the  breeze  that  flows, 
From  rustling  rose  with  petals  soft, 
But  nearer  far  the  eye  that  glows 
With  peace,  to  moon  that  smiles  aloft. 

Nay:  words  like  these  are  vague  and  dim 
For  heart  that  could  no  spark  reveal 
Of  nectar  bubbling  to  the  brim, 
The  heart  whose  hope  is  but  to  feel. 

Eternal  round  of  life  and  death, 
Unmeaning  deeds  of  crowd  appall, 
The  poet  knows  its  idle  breath, 
And  Love  is  still  the  end  of  all. 

TO 

Psyche  harped  from  night  till  morn 
Beside  the  vast,  deep  sea  of  Life; 
What  was  the  burthen  of  her  song? 
"Helene,  Helene  pure  as  dawn!" 

Psyche  harped  from  morn  till  night 
Beside  the  vast  deep  sea  of  Life; 
What  was  the  burthen  of  her  song? 
"Helene,  Helene  dear  as  light!" 

Psyche  plunged  in  the  sea  of  Love, 
What's  the  dirge  the  breakers  sing? 
What's  the  knell  the  starbells  ring? 
"Helene,  Helene  sweet  as  Death!" 
5i 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


HEART-YEARNINGS 

Burst  forth  mine  heart  in  jewelled  spice  of  flowers, 
And  fling  aureoles  melodious  to  the  skies, 
Burn  bright  in  Orient  song  that  never  dies, 
Soar  high  in  fonts  of  gold,  ambrosial  showers 
And  flood  with  rich  mosaic  all  Heavenly  bowers; 
Stream  out  in  stars  of  dew,  sweet  balm  of  sighs, 
Or  flow  in  silent  crystal  harmonies 
To  melt  in  visions  soft  by  sapphire  shores. 

Can  this,  frail  heart,  unveil  that  glorious  light, 

Eternal  beauty,  music  infinite, 

Thine  aspirations  calm,  thy  cravings  vain? 

Rave,  weep  thy   fill;    thou   canst  not  change   the 

night; 
Nor  grasp  the  truth  thou  bleedest  thus  to  gain! 
A  deeper  strain  but  breeds  a  heavier  pain. 


AURORA 

What's  this  incense  failing,  failing, 
In  a  drowsy  noon? 
It's  a  melody  sailing,   sailing, 
Breezy  vision  paling,  paling, 
From  the  silver  moon. 

What's  this  crystal  tinkling,  tinkling, 
In  a  golden  haze? 

It's    a    spring    close   mingling,    mingling, 
Dewy  rainbows  twinkling,   twinkling 
In  a  floral  blaze. 


52 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


What's  this  ocean  dreaming,  dreaming 
In  a  boundless  space? 
It's  dim  ether  gleaming,  gleaming, 
Starry  gossamers  streaming,  streaming, 
In  a  listless  race. 

What's  this  halo  trailing,  trailing 
Wreaths  of  purpling  spray? 
It's  faint  memory  hailing,  hailing 
Time's  dull  murmur  veiling,  veiling, 
With  a  pearly  ray. 

What's  this  life  sweet  waning,  waning, 
In  a  sleep  of  bliss? 
It's  a  love  soft  raining,  raining, 
Soul's  infinite  straining,  straining 
Through  an  angel's  kiss. 


CHANGED 

Here  in  this  leafy  bower 
Where  we  were  wont  to  meet, 
I  muse  alone  in  darkness, 
That  thus  our  love  should  fleet  ; 
That  man  a  heavenly  gift 
Should  ever  so  lightly  treat! 
How  once  the  birds  sang  merrily 
Their  welcome  chant  to  thee. 
Our  love  the  trees  soft  whispered 
To  the  loud  betraying  bee, 
Then  swung  the  clustering  flowers 
In  tender  sympathy, 
And  danced  the  sparkling  fountains 
In  overflowing  glee. 
53 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


I  dreamt  not  that  a  maiden 
Like  thee  so  sweet  and  coy 
Should  fling  her  love  God  gi'en, 
As  a  child  some  loathed  toy. 
But  now  the  birds  no  longer 
Pour  forth  a  joyous  strain, 
The  trees  but  sigh  in  sadness, 
Wild  wails  the  bee  in  vain; 
Alas,  the  flowers  drooping 
Now  tremble  in  their  pain 
And  fountains  weep  profusely 
In  showers  of  limpid  rain. 
The  heart  that  once  was  kindled, 
Is  shaded  with  a  gloom. 
A  maiden's  love  is  iaitniess, 
That  dazzled  in  its  bloom. 


I  FEEL  A  PAIN 

I  feel  a  pain,  I  know  not  how, 
Since  thou  didst  bend  soft  eyes  on  me, 
I  was  once  gay,  but  gloomy  now. 

I  feel  a  pain,  I  know  not  why, 

Since  thou  didst  fell  bright  eyes  on  me, 

Mine  heart  was  light,  sad  now  I  sigh. 

I  feel  a  pain,  I  know  not  what, 
Since  thou  didst  fling  wild  eyes  on  me, 
I  live  a  life  but  feel  it  not. 

I  feel  a  pain,  I  cannot  weep, 
My  soul  hath  found  her  soul  in  thee, 
I  live  in  death,  I  wake  in  sleep. 
54 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


This  dust  that  chains  this  bleeding  soul, 
That  burns  to  feel  all  one  with  thee, 
I  shake  away — cease;  be  the  whole. 


DISINTERESTED  SERVICE 

With  ruby  lips  the  morning  smiles  to  cheer 
Our  hearts ;  melodious  notes  the  birds  outpour, 
As  merrily  from  tree  to  tree  they  soar, 
The  crystal  dews  on  foliage  sparkle  clear, 
Fresh-petalled  gems  their  clustering  splendour  rear, 
And  forth  their  treasured  balmy  fragrance  shower; 
For  us  yon  Phoebus  opes  his  Orient  door 
And  rolls  his  golden  wheel  in  bright  career; 
But  neither  he  nor  scented  flowers  sweet, 
The  dew-besprinkled  leaves  or  charming  morn 
Delight  our  senses  hoping  for  return; 
Then  why  should  I,  O  God,  profane  my  feet, 
In  empty  prayers  of  greed  unholy  born? 
Uplift  my  soul  with  love's  pure  flame  to  burn ! 


WON 

I  heard  a  strain,  a  mellow  strain 
Swept  lightly  by  a  siren  mild, 

Singing  sweet  in  silver  rain, 

The  harp  was  still,  mine  heart  grew  wild. 

I  breathed  a  balm,  a  nectar  balm, 
Flung  by  a  floral  sylph  in  dew, 

Lulling  all  my  sense  to  calm 

The  fragrance  failed,  my  spirit  flew. 

55 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


I  saw  a  dream,  a  beauteous  dream, 
An  angel  sailed  the  crescent  moon, 

Ploughed  with  gold  a  sapphire  stream, 
The  vision  passed,  I  fell  aswoon. 

I  found  a  love,  a  lonely  love, 

A  sylvan  nymph  entranced  my  soul, 

Sprinkling  silence  through  her  grove 

I  pined  for  her,  and  clasped  the  whole. 

A  FRAGMENT 

Thy  face  is  the  moon  without  her  spot, 
Thy  cheeks  are  roses  sans  their  thorns; 
Ne'er  fading  violets  are  thine  eyes, 
Ambrosial  zephyrs  are  thy  sighs; 
Thy  smiles  are  cloudless  beaming  morns, 
Thyself  an  angel,  vainly  sought. 

MY  TEAR 

I  shed  a  tear,  a  tear  of  joy, 

I  found  it  in  the  dews  that  shone 

On  waving  grasses,  green  and  coy. 

I  dropped  a  tear,  a  tear  of  pain, 

The  jasmins  bloomed  and  on  their  balm, 

I  saw  my  tear  in  beads  of  rain. 

I  wept  a  tear,  a  tear  of  love, 
My  tear  became  a  budding  rose, 
And  smiled  full  sweetly  in  the  grove. 

I  wiped  a  tear,  a  tear  of  bliss, 
My  tear  turned  out  a  star  of  light, 
Whose  peaceful  glow  I  ne'er  could  miss. 

56 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


THE  TEMPLE-BELLS 

How  sweet  these  bells  were  wont  to  ring 
That  now  bright  days  of  childhood  bring 

To  memory  dear, 

A  heart  grown  sere, 
When  faith  was  love  fore'er  to  cling. 

Innocence  then  was  soul's  delight, 
And  instinct  virtue's  guiding  light ; — 

At  each  soft  strain 

Of  anthem's  wane, 
Then  tears  flowed  down  like  dews  at  night. 

How  calm  on  light,  melodious  wings, 
I  sailed  to  Heaven's  ambrosial  springs, 

And  saw  pure  streams, 

In  silver  beams, 
Where  angels  sang  on  floral  swings. 

I  heard  still  music  from  afar, 

Of  psalms  from  yon  lone-twinkling  star, 

And  felt  in  sleep, 

Etherial  deep, 
Whose  radiant  swell  no  space  could  mar. 

Now  all  my  days  with  pain  are  rife, 
No  good  accrues  from  ceaseless  strife, 

Sweet,  lin — Ian — lone, 

Hope's  lingering  tone, 
On  dying  faith  revive  a  life. 


57 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Ring,  mingle  in  melodious  rain, 
Harmonious  bells  to  peal  in  vain! 

A  dawning  light, 

My  heart  is  bright, 
Am  I  to  be  a  child  again! 

THE  UNIVERSAL  ANTHEM 

Eternity  is  singing 

Infinity's  praise, 

Heavens  and  worlds  are  swinging, 

Raise  thy  chorus,  raise. 


Spirit's  all-pervading 
(While  swift  aeons  fly) 
Dust  to  dust  still  spreading, 
Nay,  thou  shalt  not  die. 

Instinct,  inspiration, 
Rapture,  ecstasy, 
Love,  are  life  in  motion, 
Soul  from  bondage  free. 

Trust  in  revelations, 
(Science  a  crooked  way) 
Thrills,  divine  pulsations, 
For  the  immortal  aye. 

Universal  glory 
Flows  from  unit's  core. 
Space  and  time  a  story 
Soar  in  anthem,  soar. 


58 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


THOU  ART  WEEPING  STILL 

The  lucid  dawn  is  breaking, 
The  rosy  sun  is  decking 
The  tree-tops  softly  shaking, 
But  thou  art  weeping  still. 

In  sun  the  dew-drops  glittering, 
In  breeze  the  leaves  are  fluttering, 
In  joy  the  bees  are  muttering, 
But  thou  art  weeping  still. 

The  birds  are  sweetly  singing, 
The  fountains  skyward  springing, 
Melodious  bells  are  ringing, 
But  thou  art  weeping  still. 

At  ease  the  streamlet's  gliding, 
Blue  clouds  the  moon  is  riding, 
In  peace  the  world's  abiding, 
But  thou  art  weeping  still. 

And  thus  the  birds  shall  sing, 
And  ever  the  lavish  spring 
His  floral  treasures  fling, 
Though  thou  be  weeping  still. 


59 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


LINES  TO  MUSIC 

Dear  Heavenly  angel,  empress  of  the  soul, 
How  oft  thy  mild  enchanting  touch  hath  soothed 
The  aching  heart  and  cooled  the  fevered  mind ;  * 
Thy  soft  melodious  notes  like  dewy  showers, 
Are  shed  upon  the  weary  and  the  sick; 
Thy  honied  strains  that  rise  and  faint  away 
Can  calm  the  wild  uproarious  ocean's  rage, 
Or  check  the  fiery  chariot  of  the  sun; 
Thy  varied  tunes  in  unique  harmony  blent, 
Intoxicate  the  soul  with  joy  divine, 
And  steep  the  spirit  in  Elysian  balm; 
The  musing  mind  is  sunk  in  deep  repose, 
The  slumbering  eye  is  wrapt  in  peaceful  sleep, 
At  thy  command  the  mournful  heart  doth  melt 
In  willing  tears  still  pleasing  in  their  pain : 
Most  golden  dreams  of  perfect  bliss  we  owe, 
Oh  music  sweet,  to  magic  charm  of  thine. 

THE  PIPER 

The  piper  piped  at  evenfall, 

(The  stream  sped  murmuring  by), 

He  piped  a  tune,  the  all  in  all 
Of  worlds  that  live  and  die. 

The  piper  piped  at  dead  of  night, 
(The  stream  slept  smiling  by) 

He  piped  a  strain  that  waned   in  light, 
Of  long-lost  dreams  on  high. 

The  piper  piped  at  break  of  dawn, 

(The  stream  fled  sobbing  by) 
He  piped  a  chant  for  souls  forlorn, 

And  ended  with  a  sigh. 
60 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


THE  LULLED  OAR 

The  song  is  still : 

A  fainting  star  is  floating 

In  the  sky  above  ; 

I've  drunk  my  fill: 

Mine  heavy  heart  is  doting 

On  a  sigh  of  love. 

The  song  is  still; 

A  languid  breeze  is  sprinkling, 

Kisses  soft  and  pure; 

I've  drunk  my  fill! 

The  world's  sad  knell  is  tinkling 

Through  this  dome  azure. 

The  song  is  still: 

A  paly  ripple's  sailing 

On  the  sea  below ; 

I've  drunk  my  fill: 

My  life  for  love  is  failing, 

Sweet,  my  breath  falls  slow. 

The  song  is  still: 

A  weary  music's  breaking 

From  the  trance  alone; 

I've  drunk  my  fill: 

A  swooning  soul  is  shaking 

Life  and  death  in  one. 


61 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


REQUIESCAT 

Sprinkle  roses,  blooming  roses, 
Her  soul  hath  found  her  rest  above, 
Fill  with  rainbow  sheen  her  bed, 
Hers  who  lived  for  love. 

Sprinkle  violets,  dewy  violets, 
Her  soul  hath  found  her  peace  above, 
Deck  with  paly  blue  her  shroud, 
Hers  who  died  for  love. 

Sprinkle  lilies,  milky  lilies, 
Her  soul  hath  found  her  life  above, 
Crown  with  purest  light  her  grave, 
Hers  who  died  of  love. 

A  WRINKLED  SCROLL 

Long,  long  before  the  flood 

Of  Space  into  the  still  Unknown, 

When  this  world  was  gray  with  childhood, 

And  joy  shed  tears  of  moan, 

Long,  long  ago.     .     .     . 

When  the  white  Moon  burning  lay 

And  the  lonely  Sun  in  snow 

Poured  quiet  on  the  day, 

Far,  far  away, 

Her  dreamy  looks  were  lighted 

At  flaming  Love's  deep  sigh, 

On  Time's  sad  whirl  and  slow, 

Betwixt  the  Earth  and  Sky 

Far,  far  away,     .     .     . 


62 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


When  life  was  pale  and  blighted 

With  Beauty's  breath  to  die, 

When  Song  was  waning  languid  low, 

Calm,  loftier  heights  to  fly, 

Long,  long  ago,     .     .     . 

When  light  was  fainting  dim  on  high, 

Through  all  the  wide,  wide  Aye, 

Her  weary  looks  were  sighted, 

Far,  far  away, 

Vaguely  wistful  thus  to  glow 

Strangely  listless  thus  to  flow 

In  peace,  this  pining  Soul  to  slay 

The  How,  the  Where,  the  When,  the  Why 

Of  the  Immortal  One  astray, 

Far,  far  away, 

Long,  long  ago. 


TO  A  SIREN 

Thy  sweet,  sad  voice  soars  high  aloft, 
To  wreathe  a  garland  of  those  stars, 
Then  burst  in  dews,  in  pearls  so  soft- 
Trie  music  of  the  spheres  jars. 

Yon  Cynthia  furls  her  crystal  sail, 
Faints  in  a  paly  silken  swoon, 
From  depths  azure  a  dimmer  wail, 
In  dreams  melodious  veils  the  moon. 

Fair  Venus  weeps  in  tears  untold, 
Pours  sad  calm  silver  songs  in  rain, 
"Love,  love  divine  to  them  unfold, 
Who  melt  their  yearning  hearts  in  pain. 


63 


Harp  of  the  Heart 


Queen  Angel  of  etherial  realms, 
In  still  infinity  that  sleep, 
Thy  strain  with  magic  overwhelms 
And  lulls  her  in  a  langour  deep. 

My  soul  a  smouldering  spark  of  light 
Eternal,  one,  the  sea  of  life 
Laves  in  a  far-off  splendour  bright 
Unconscious,  freed  from  time  and  strife. 

THE  BROKEN  HARP 

What  though  the  harp  be  broken?  ' 
The  strains  so  lightly  swept  will  fleet 
To  Heaven  in  aerial  trances  sweet. 
Ah!    let  the  harp  be  broken. 

What  though  the  rose  be  shaken? 
The  incense  swung  around  will  beam 
In  Heaven  a  still  ambrosial  stream. 
Oh!    let  the  rose  be  shaken. 

What  though  the  heart  be  broken? 
The  sad  pure  sigh  that's  heaved  so  deep, 
In  Heaven  will  pearly  crystals  weep, 
Ah!     let  the  heart  be  broken. 

What  though  this  life  be  shaken? 
The  stainless  soul  in  virtue  bred, 
In  hallowed  light  to  Heaven  be  sped, 
Ah!    let  this  life  be  shaken. 


64 


ra~  S«2F»  ™„, 


octi*** 


50w-7,'29 


■I  | 


>* 


YB  31251; 


470158 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


